Suresh Kalmadi’s 2nd no-show at CBI HQ

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee former chairman Suresh Kalmadi did not appear at the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters on Wednesday, even though the agency had sought his presence for questioning in cases related to alleged irregularities in the conduct of the sporting event.

“Kalmadi did not arrive at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters since he was away in Pune for some personal work, ” said a CBI source requesting anonymity.

The source added, “Kalmadi has now confirmed that he will meet our Commonwealth Games (CWG) probe team in Delhi on April 25.” The CBI had, in fact, called Kalmadi for questioning last Friday, but his aides informed the agency that he was abroad then.

“Kalmadi’s staff told us that he was to return to India on April 19, which he did. But he did not land in Delhi, as we expected. Instead, he reached Mumbai on Tuesday and then went to Pune,” said the source.

Suresh Kalmadi could not be contacted for comment. CBI wants to quiz Kalmadi in several cases of alleged CWG irregularities, including two Organising Committee (OC) deals vis-a-vis the Queen’s Baton Relay in London, deals with London-based AM Films and AM Car & Van Hire Limited for installation of video screens near Buckingham Palace and provision of logistics.